US Bridges

Township Road over W. Branch Big Elk Creek

PoorPosted for load

Chester County, Pennsylvania · .2 MI NW Balt Pk 3907-K1 · Structure no. 000000000010662

Built
1924
101 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
36 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,431
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Township Road over W. Branch Big Elk Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Township Road over W. Branch Big Elk Creek in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1924, so it is 101 years old, older than the Pennsylvania average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 1,431 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,574 by 2023. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTownship Road
CrossesW. Branch Big Elk Creek
Location.2 MI NW Balt Pk 3907-K1
RouteCity Street 0
CountyChester County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates39.80901, -75.93952
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating28 US tons
Inventory rating17 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,431 (2018)
Projected traffic1,574 by 2023
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$219,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Township Road over W. Branch Big Elk Creek built?

It was built in 1924, making it 101 years old in 2025.

What condition is Township Road over W. Branch Big Elk Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in December 2023.

How much traffic does Township Road over W. Branch Big Elk Creek carry?

About 1,431 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Township Road over W. Branch Big Elk Creek?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Township Road over W. Branch Big Elk Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.